John 1:1-13

The Bible begins with the words, "In the beginning, God". The Gospel of John begins with the words, "In the beginning was the Word."

At the very beginning, there is Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3). He was there at the very beginning. He did not suddenly appear at the beginning of the New Testament.

It should not surprise us that we find Jesus in the pages of the Old Testament. From the very beginning, He is there.

"In the beginning was the Word." Before Isaiah and Jeremiah, before David and Moses, before Abraham and Noah, before Adam and Eve, there is Jesus Christ.

It's no wonder we find glimpses of the Lord Jesus throughout the Old Testament. Jesus was there before the Scriptures even began to be written (John 1:1-3).

What has the Lord Jesus been doing since the very beginning? - "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).

Jesus has been constantly at work in the hearts of men and women, calling them out of their spiritual darkness and into His marvellous light, out of spiritual death and into eternal life.

How has Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God, been speaking to men and women from the very beginning? He has been speaking to us through the created world (Psalm 19:1-4).

Those who get a taste of the Lord soon find that they get hungry for more of Him.

Once, we start to become aware of God the Creator, we long to know Him more fully, not only as Creator but also as Saviour.

To know His saving power in our lives, we must turn not only to the world created by God but also to the Word inspired by Him (Psalm 19:7-10).

How does the Lord speak to us through His Word? - "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through Him" (John 1:6-7). There is great benefit in reading the Scriptures day-by-day in our own homes. There is, however, also a special ministry of preaching and teaching which the Lord has appointed and anointed so that men and women hear the Gospel, be led in the light of God's Word and be strengthened in faith. We should seek always to take advantage of every opportunity of hearing God's Word preached.

The purpose of the preacher is not to exalt himself. It is to preach Christ - "He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light" (John 1:8). Jesus Christ is described as "the true light that enlightens every man" (John 1:9). From the very beginning, He has been calling men and women to come to the light. This ministry of bringing men and women to the light has become much more clearly defined with the coming of Jesus into the world as a Man.

He now stands before men and women, presenting them with a choice: Will you choose light or do you prefer to remain in the darkness?

If you have come to Christ and are seeking to be an effective witness for Him, ask Him to lead you to those who have become aware of God the Creator and are now ready to be brought to Christ the Saviour.

Pray that God will give you the opportunity to bring others to hear the Gospel that they might find the Saviour.